Myanmar Asset Press Release

18 July 2018, Yangon, Myanmar – On 7 July 2018, PTTEP Myanmar Asset’s (PTTEP) Zawtika Operation team and E Drill-2 rig team rescued 12 Myanmar fishermen who were drifting in a small wooden boat, after their primary boat was damaged. The fishermen had been stranded at sea for five days amidst severe weather conditions, before they were found by PTTEP employees near the Well Head Platform of Zawtika project in the Gulf of Mottama.

All 12 fishermen were brought safely onboard PTTEP’s ENA Endeavour supply boat where their health conditions were checked and assessed to be stable. They were also provided food, clothes and temporary accommodation.

During this period, PTTEP contacted Myanmar authorities, including the Navy, Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), the Immigration Police and Township Administrator, to notify them of the case and arrange for the fishermen’s safe return.

On 10 July 2018 morning, with PTTEP’s support, the fishermen were safely transported back to shore by the Hai Diong-01 supply boat. Led by PTTEP’s Logistics Operation Manager, Mr. Thiti Preeyanurak, and Safety, Security, Health and Environment (SSHE) Manager, Mr. Sutus Preuksjamas, the company’s representatives together with Myanmar Authorities welcomed the fishermen at the Thaketa Offshore Supply Base.

This is the fourth occasion where PTTEP rescued distressed people stranded at sea. In July 2016, PTTEP personnel rescued a crew of 40 workers – most of whom were from Myanmar – from a burning fishing boat in the Gulf of Thailand. PTTEP also worked with the Royal Thai Navy to extinguish the fire onboard the fishing boat.

In September the same year, PTTEP’s Zawtika Operations Support Vessel rescued 14 Myanmar crew members who were drifting for five days in the Gulf of Mottama after the cargo ship they were traveling on had sunk.

In December 2017, the Zawtika Operation team also rescued three Myanmar fishing boat crew from a broken raft after they have drifted for seven days in the Gulf of Mottama. To date, the company has saved almost 70 lives from danger at sea.

“When we find displaced persons in distress at sea, our procedure is to deliver humanitarian assistance to them regardless of their status or the circumstances in which they are found. Priority is given to both safety and security of rescuers and the persons in distress,” Mr. Preuksjamas explained.

“This is in line with PTTEP’s SSHE Management System which is an essential part of the company’s business and provides the safety, security, health and environment principles for conducting any operations. PTTEP staff and contractor personnel work together closely at all levels of the organisation to drive the success of SSHE, which helps and prepares PTTEP to be ready for this kind of incident,” he added.

Apart from ensuring that its staff and contractors are ready to extend a helping hand in such emergency incidents, PTTEP also takes full measures to protect its employees and provide a safe working environment; committing to achieve Target Zero: "Nobody Gets Hurt from our Operations".

“PTTEP is not only committed to delivering sustainable energy in Myanmar. We are also willing to do our utmost to help and provide emergency relief and rescue support,” said Mr. Piya Sukumpanumet, General Manager of PTTEP Myanmar Asset. “We are glad that the 12 fishermen have safely returned home and stand ready to help the community around us, regardless of their nationality or status, as much as we can.”

About PTTEP’s Zawtika Project

The Zawtika project is located in the Gulf of Mottama, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, approximately 300 kilometers South West of Yangon. The project covers an area of 12,306 square kilometres and comprises the Zawtika Processing and Living Quarters Platform (ZPQ) and 11 wellhead platforms.

From ZPQ, natural gas is transported through 230 km of subsea pipeline and another 70 km of onshore pipeline to connect with PTT gas receiving terminal at the Myanmar-Thailand border area in I-tong Village, Tong Pa Poom District, KanchanaBuri Province.

Currently, the Zawtika project yields a production rate of approximately 300 - 345 million cubic feet per day. The joint venture partners of the project are PTTEPI, which holds 80% interest as the project operator, and the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), which holds the remaining 20%.